ALBION have been warned to be on their guard when they face their nemesis Jermain Defoe in tonight's crucial White Hart Lane showdown.

The England striker has scored four goals in three games against The Baggies already this season and has been no stranger to controversy against Bryan Robson's men.

He scored Tottenham's equaliser at The Hawthorns when the two sides ground out a draw in August but it was his contribution in the FA Cup games that still rankles.

Defoe was awarded a dubious penalty in the FA Cup fourth-round tie in January before scoring twice in the replay a fortnight later.

The Baggies travel to north London desperately needing points as the Premiership campaign reaches the home straight.

But Robson believes his side will be better equipped to face Spurs than at any previous time this season.

"Tottenham are a good team and have four very good strikers, including Defoe," said Robson.

"Whichever two play against us our lads' concentration levels have to be very good.

"But Defoe has scored four goals in three games against us and he's a top player - that's why he's in the England squad.

"He is dangerous because of his pace and the way he can strike a ball with his right foot.

"That's why you have to warn your defenders against people like that.

"But we've tightened up as a unit. Another thing we've also improved on is possession. We keep the ball better than we did two months ago and when people try to pressure us now we take the sting out of the game by passing the ball better."

Albion have won just once on their travels - a 4-1 win at Charlton during their last visit to the capital.